Four Labour Members of Parliament stood in support of the Mental Capacity (Amendment) Bill. However, they raised concerns over the impact the amendment would have on the less tech-savvy, especially seniors, who are the primary target audience to make a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA).
The amendment bill was read in Parliament for the second time on 5 and 6 July 2021. The changes will allow individuals to register and file their LPA through an electronic system.
An LPA is a legal document that allows a person who is at least 21 to appoint others to decide or act on his behalf if he loses his mental capacity.
Before the amendment, individuals would need to sign the LPA physically, and the document would need to be manually processed.
Assistant Secretary-General Patrick Tay said: "My first concern is with the seniors amongst us and whether the electronic process will be a boon or a bane to them as there are many who may not be electronically savvy and comfortable with the e-processes and may result in us losing out this group which are precisely the ones who need to make their LPAs most urgently in case they lose their mental faculties with the passing of time and age.
"The question we need to address is how the electronic process will help or encourage seniors to do up the LPA? Will the system be multi-lingual as well and void of legalese?"
Mr Tay commended the Office of Public Guardian's plans to work with the People's Association, the Infocomm Media Development Authority and other organisations to train and assist the elderly. He called it a step in the right direction.
As an extension of this effort, Mr Tay asked the Office of Public Guardian to consider working with NTUC and union leaders to reach out to workers and union members.
"For a start, perhaps a special campaign can be embarked on to get all our union leaders to do up an LPA at a subsidised rate so that they can lead the way to encourage those they interact and engage with at their respective companies to do likewise," he said.
NTUC Assistant Secretary-General Melvin Yong shared Mr Tay's sentiments. He asked the Ministry for Social and Family Development (MSF) to consider working with senior activity centres to assist their members in making digital LPA applications.
He also asked if MSF's regional social service offices could be used as another channel to reach out to vulnerable Singaporeans.
Meanwhile, NTUC U SME and Women and Family Unit Director Yeo Wan Ling said that an online system would only be helpful if its intended audience uses the platform.
"Given that most of the online LPA system's intended audience will be daunted by fears associated with crossing the digital divide, compounded by the pressure of making an LPA 'while they still can', we must stand ready to provide support for using these systems," she added.
Ms Yeo called for the Government to get the most out of the initiative by making support systems accessible to those daunted by online methods and suggested using social services or other equivalent means.
"As we necessarily lose the 'personal touch' of the LPA process in introducing an online system, we must conscientiously support seniors in crossing the digital divide and intentionally build in safeguards that capture the diversity of adults with special needs," she said.
MSF said it would assist individuals such as the elderly who have difficulty navigating the electronic system by making devices and trained staff available at some community centres.
However, Group CEO of NTUC Enterprise and NTUC Fairprice Seah Kian Peng pointed out that not all community centres will provide the facility.
"For those who need help, travelling further to an unfamiliar place may greatly discourage them. If help was available at all community centres, I am sure it would lead to a greater take-up rate. I hope the ministry can consider this suggestion. Yes, more resources will be required, but it will be monies well spent," Mr Seah said.
